We strive to provide every student in California access to the skills, knowledge and financial means to pursue a meaningful career in the foodservice industry.

Board Meeting Update

It’s always energising to attend the CRAEF board and spend productive time with like minded directors that are focused on achieving the CRAEF Mission. The CRAEF board approved the nomination to the board of Joel Bulger, the Chief Marketing Officer of Johnny Rockets. We all enjoyed meeting Joel and I know he will be a great addition to the CRAEF board.

We also had a visit from current California ProStart Alumni students that received CRAEF scholarships. Jacqueline R. graduated from California HS in Anaheim and will be attending University California Davis. Maria R. graduated from Bell Gardens HS and will be attending Cal Poly Pomona. Kiara M. graduated from Bonita HS and will also be attending Cal Poly Pomona. Congratulations to all these CRAEF 2015 Scholarship recipients that worked so hard to accomplish their goal of becoming professionals in the Foodservice Industry. These students also volunteered for three days at the CRAEF-Habit Burger Grill Booth during the expo to help sell out Donation Tickets offered by The Habit Burger Grill!

Jacqueline and ProStart Students volunteered at the the CRAEF Habit Burger Grill Booth.

The CRAEF scholarship program awards scholarships each year to deserving students. California a large State and now has 125 ProSchools through out California. All CRA members are proud of the work and effort made by the Dynamic Team of Alycia Harshfield, and ProStart Program Managers Wendy Armour and Natalie Tong with Scholarship Chair Michael Hawkins of Green Street Restaurant in Pasadena. Applause, Applause!

Wendy Armour, Alycia Harshfield, and Natalie Tong.

Alycia works with board members to determine how company’s can become involved to partner with the CRAEF and support our mission. A good example is how Board Member Bill Main introduced Frylow™ CEO Bradley Mart and President Steve Edelson to Alycia and worked with her to structure a program that was accepted. For every Frylow™ unit sold in California a donation is made to CRAEF. To learn about the benefits of Frylow™ click here.

We also thanked two board members that are stepping down after years of service, Diana Delonis of Culinary Institute of America, Greystone and Philip Singerman formerly of Norm’s Restaurants. We also thanked Fred Glick of Karl Strauss Brewing Company for two years of service as the CRAEF Chair. Thank you Fred, a job well done for TWO YEARS!

Fred Glick, CRAEF Chairman

This month CRAEF Board Vice Chair Rob DeLiema, President of BJ’s Restaurants Foundation assumes the CRAEF Chair leading us for the next 12 months. Good luck to Rob and the CRAEF team in 2016! If you are interested in becoming involved with CRAEF programs or in becoming a board member please visit the CRAEF page here.